Jumping in and asking for floorplan/layout help!

8 years ago

Hi everyone! I've been reading these forums for a long time, saving up all
of your wisdom along with many Houzz images, so thank you for everything I have
learned so far! I read the "how do I ask for layout help?" thread, so
hopefully I won't leave anything out.

We have just started construction - barely! The machine driving the pilings
broke after a days work, so we are waiting on a replacement part for now. We
will be meeting with the contractor to tweak some things in the plan in the
next week or two. I am really struggling with a few things on the main floor -
mainly the kitchen and master. Since this is the kitchen forum, I'll stick with
that here, but won't turn away any help on the master either!

Here is the layout as is now:

bayview · More Info

About us - Family of 4 (two teens) plus a four legged canine kid. I do most
of the cooking and sometimes have help with cleanup. I mostly love cooking and
baking. Definitely a function over form kitchen, though I hope it looks pretty
too when finished. This will be our forever home (eventually, once my husband
retires from the Navy) and one we hope the kid will come for vacations with the
grandkids someday, if they decide to live elsewhere.

Other info:

The main floor is on the second level, bedrooms up one more. Family will use
the garage entry below, and come up the inside stairs (as opposed to the front
door shown in photo), so coats and shoes will be left on the lower level. Best
views will be out the great room along the top of the photo.

The range will not be on the outside wall as pictured. It will be a 48"
range. Instead, sink will go there, and a window. I am open to a prep sink in
island. When I try to put the range on the back wall, sink under the window and
just a big island, I can't figure out where to put the fridge.

Fridge will be a freezer on bottom french door style. No make/model yet.

No need for wall ovens as in photo.

Island should hold an ice maker on left side, closet to bar area. Bar area
doesn't need a sink, but does need to hold a keg (cherished gift to my husband)
and wine/mini fridge. Hoping to put fold back doors on that area so I don't
have to see it all of the time!

The window in the laundry area should be centered .

We need some kind of a drop zone/command center. Otherwise I know for sure
that all of the stuff of daily life will end up on the kitchen island. I'm not
real happy with where it is now, but don't know where else we can put it.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of storage. All of the food/dry goods will go
in the pantry, but I still need storage for pots, pans, dishware, small
appliances, and spices and oils near the range.

Whew! That seems like a lot of info, but please let me know if you need
more. Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

Alisa

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Meris
8 years ago
I'm not one of the great gurus here for kitchen design, but I have a thought.

It looks like your kitchen work zone has too many paths through it, it would drive me crazy. What about putting your kitchen in the dining area? Or figuring out a different way to get to your laundry room so that pathway could be closed off?
mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Not an expert, either--but I think you have a challenging space. Can you annex some of the hall/pantry area for the kitchen? I realize that it cuts down on storage in the pantry, but you can get clean-up and the fridge on the same wall. Unless the separate cooktop and ovens are necessary due to mobility issues (I see an elevator), I'd go with a range. If you need a wall oven, possibly a 24" would fit beside the laundry chute? (Area where I have 2nd prep.) Can the icemaker go in the bar?
Related Discussions
Help with bedroom layout design and floor plan (constructive) criticim
Q
Comments (24)
functionthenlook - The house location is in Portland, Oregon. So not in a cold climate; I appreciate the comment, I'll look into re-designing the second floor. richfield95 - Thanks for the comment, I'll have the second floor re-designed. cpartist - House will be for myself, I am planning to start a family in the near future. Location is Portland, Oregon; Lot size is 8235sf; I can not cover more than 2650sf, current floor plan coverage is 2645sf. Actual needs - open dining / kitchen / great room area, study / office room, sufficient sized bathroom on main floor; decent sized master bedroom / master bath / closet, sufficient sized bathroom upstairs, sufficient sized laundry, 2 car garage, ability to work from home. I want to make sure the house fits into neighborhood, and most of my neighbors have 3 - 4 bedrooms. jannicone - The great room dimensions are roughly 24.5' by 18.5'; Overall square footage is about 3000sf; For now no kids, but will be starting family in the near future. I will need the ability to work from home. Naf_Naf - I am limited with setbacks on the width of the house, basically cannot increase the depth either because of impervious surface area coverage limit.
...See More
Kitchen Design/Floorplan Impass-Please help, we need a better layout
Q
Comments (19)
The island in there was based on a ref 35" deep to the door front including an air gap. That would leave 48" to that corner of the island ( based on the island top being 29 1/2 deep ). Here is the basics of how I imagined the island If you have the 2 end panels plain, then you can cut them to a different depth if you want to add an inch or 2 to the island. Personally I would not any more to the island - maybe an inch? Keep in mind, those dimensions I put on the picture are to the countertop edge - do not place your cabinets to that. All that calculating and conversation needs to be done with your designer and your contractor and is to be based on actual room dimensions. I can't wait to see it!!
...See More
help with size and layout, open floor plan
Q
Comments (27)
"If you do a row of cabinets, they are usually 24" deep and then even with 18" overhang that's only 42" so less than 4' wide" Ummm...no, that's not correct. 1.5" counter overhang on the front of the island + 24"D base cabinets + 1" decorative door/finished end panel on the back of the peninsula cabinets + 18" overhang =========== 44.5" .... basically, 45" deep. Yes, less than 48", but only by 3" [42" is for a 15-inch overhang] However, if there are to be two seats on the side, then 48" is the minimum depth needed (24" per seat) . "Do you think if dishwasher put on window wall now 5ft is sufficient?" 60" is too wide since the Prep Zone is across that aisle from the cooktop. Reduce it to 48" to 51". . "My husband however really wants a separate area to cook sometimes. And the wok Kitchen will be mostly pantry area with smaller stove and smaller sink" With the larger Kitchen, you won't need a separate "wok kitchen". Just be sure you have a good hood and that it's installed properly. It should be at least 6" wider than the cooking surface, 24" deep, probably at least 1000 cfms, and externally vented (i.e., vented to the outside). You might want to go even wider if this truly is for wok cooking. Installation is most likely no more than 30" above the cooking surface (some can go as high as 36", check the specs, but the higher you go, the less effective the hood will be). Sinks also add moisture. IF you put it in the pantry, be sure you have: The same hood as described above Very, very good overall ventilation No food stored in that pantry! Why? Because food should be stored in a dark, cool, and dry space. Cooking in the pantry is the opposite! It introduces heat (a lot with a range), moisture, grease, and you need light to see while you cook. Additionally, any odors you introduce via your cooking will permeate the food stored there if your range hood venting and overall ventilation are inadequate. If you're looking at a separate cooking area because of odors, smoke, etc., know that most people do not have an adequate range hood and, usually, mount them too high to be effective. That's why they have odor, smoke, etc., issues. (Or, as we call them on the Kitchens Forum, FOGSS -- Fumes, Odors, Grease, Smoke, Steam.) . "L" island...I don't recommend it. That "L" will be an obstacle in the middle of your Kitchen and cause traffic and work space issues. Stick with a rectangular island. Get rid of the "wok Kitchen" and use the entire pantry for all your food storage. That way, you'll have plenty of space in the Kitchen itself for dishes, pots/pans, small appliances, and prep tools (mixing bowls, mixer, utensils, etc.). . Regarding an architect...Many (most?) architects are not Kitchen designers. They are great at architectural "interest" and making the Kitchen look "nice" (from an architectural/structural point of view) but not so much at function. They often don't seem to know/understand what makes a functional Kitchen. You need to work with a true Kitchen Designer for the Kitchen layout...not a CAD designer, cabinet salesperson, etc. Your best bet is to get an independent KD to work with you and your architect. I strongly recommend reviewing this thread from the "Building a Home" forum: Beginning Bubble Diagram for a Custom Home: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4351651/beginning-bubble-diagram-for-a-custom-home
...See More
Floorplan/layout help?
Q
Comments (25)
Removing the linen closet all together gives you the space for the longer vanity, which you need because of the small MB vanity. You gain a lot of wall space in the landing, which is perfect for a furniture-style linen cabinet. You might even find a men's armoire with shelves for folded sweaters that can be used for sheets and towels. They usually have a few deep drawers too. Practical consideration--I agree that the window shouldn't overlap the vanity, but typically you put the TP holder on the side of the vanity in that layout. You'll need to get a TP stand.
...See More
mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Or, a galley with extra deep counters, and pantry, command center/drop zone near the stairs? The semi-open peninsula could share a sink between the bar and prep areas, and there's room for the cooktop and ovens. Alternately, the counter in the laundry could be a pantry, and you could have a closet where I have the pantry drawn.

Forgot to address the bathroom. I changed the location of the door because the alcove seemed to waste space. The area behind the laundry chute would be perfect for recessed shelves in the bathroom, and corresponding storage under the counter.
rebunky
8 years ago
Yes, this is a challenging space. I am sorry I'm not good at the design part. Mamagoose is great though.

Is there any way to change the entrance to to laundry room so you do not have to go thru the kitchen like that?
Karenseb
8 years ago
I like your layout, but I'm not sure all the angles on the left side of the house are helping your layout. I straightened it out and put your closet and bathroom near each other for ease of dressing. I would put a built in dresser in the hall to the bathroom and the closet across from that. I gave you more counter space, but no tub. You may have trouble fitting everything you want into that space. I took a foot out of your bedroom, because you needed the space more in the bath/closet area.

You could put a drop zone near the stair landing. I would think about window placement and furniture layout in all rooms, so that you don't have a bed under a window if possible. A window on each side flanking the bed would look nice.

The kitchen was just a quick idea like someone else suggested.

The galley kitchen is intriguing and I came up with another idea.

You could enter your laundry from the hall for the bathroom and make your kitchen an L shape with a pantry just outside.
cpartist
8 years ago
I have an idea but I am stuck using my iPad because I lifted boxes the other day. Hopefully I will be better in a few days and then I can sketch it out for you
alisamu
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow, definitely some things I hadn't thought of. I'm a little relieved that you all think it's a challenging space, as I have been struggling with it for months and i am glad to know it's not just me!

We can definitely move the door to the guest bath to near the front door. The alcove there is designed to fit a specific piece of antique furniture (card catalog), but at this point I am willing to sacrifice that space for a better kitchen layout. I do like mamagoose's idea of pushing back the kitchen wall (if the bathroom door gets moved and the alcove is gone.)...I'll have to play with that a little... I don't need double wall ovens, 48" range will take care of that.

If it's at all workable, I'd like to keep the island. The windows/french doors along the top of the plan in the master and great room lead out to a deck and look out to the Chesapeake Bay, and if I'm prepping at the island that's the way to be facing :)

The bar area needs to stay, or at least somewhere in/near the great room. Husband wanted a full stand behind, pull up a stool bar, so this was a compromise.

Karneseb, I'm not sure we can alter the angles at this point. We are less than a foot from our max allowable lot coverage! And the pilings are already going in as foundation. The windows on the left side of the plan are high up, and smallish (maybe even frosted). So no worries about placing the bed under them. That side of the home is 5 feet from the property line, as is the neighbor on thier side, so not much to see, we just wanted to add in a little light, but I agree, it's funky! I do like your bathroom layout better, as it was bothering me that the closet was so far away. I just REALLY want a soaker tub! I don't mind losing space from the master bedroom.

Jumping in and asking for floorplan/layout help!

Comments (7)

Meris

mama goose_gw zn6OH

Related Discussions

mama goose_gw zn6OH

rebunky

Karenseb

cpartist

alisamu
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Jumping in and asking for floorplan/layout help!

Comments (7)

Meris

mama goose_gw zn6OH

Related Discussions

mama goose_gw zn6OH

rebunky

Karenseb

cpartist

alisamuOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alisamu
Original Author